Solar pool heating

ABSTRACT

A method for heating water in a pool using light. In one implementation, the method involves attaching a floating element to a solar heating element to form a floatation device. The method includes placing the floatation device in water and applying light on the solar heating element to focus light in the water.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to components that have thermalmechanisms to heat a pool.

BACKGROUND

Pools can have various types of floatation devices. The floating devicescan be used to enhance the safety of the pool, and/or can be used forrecreational activities in or around the pool. Decorative devices mayalso be made to enhance the aesthetics of the pool area.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a pool heating apparatus that, in oneimplementation, includes a thermal mechanism for producing thermalenergy in a region of water in the pool from light energy received fromabove the pool, and a flotation mechanism, coupled with the thermalmechanism, for maintaining the thermal mechanism afloat on the surfaceof the water in a substantially horizontal position.

Also described is an implementation of an apparatus that includes athermal mechanism to use light to heat water in an area of a pool, and afloating member to attach to the thermal mechanism to provide buoyancyto the apparatus to float in water, and to keep the apparatus floatingin a substantially horizontal alignment with the water in the pool. Theapparatus is a free-floating apparatus to allow recreational use of thepool while the apparatus is in the water.

In another implementation, a system has multiple free-floating devicesto use light to heat water in a pool. Each free-floating device has atleast one solar heating element to use light to heat water in a pool, inwhich the solar heating element retains thermal energy in water inproximity to the solar heating element. Each free-floating device alsohas at least one floating element to attach to the solar heating elementto allow the free-floating device to float in the water in asubstantially horizontal alignment with the water.

Also described is a method that, in one implementation, uses lightenergy to heat water in a pool. The method involves attaching a floatingelement to a solar heating element to enable the solar heating elementto float in a substantially horizontal alignment in water, and placingthe attached elements in water to enable the elements to freely float inthe water. The method also involves applying light on the solar heatingelement to focus light energy in the water in an area underneath thesolar heating element.

The systems and techniques described here may provide one or more of thefollowing advantages. For example, a floating, aesthetically-pleasingdevice can be used for water heating and heat retention. The device canheat the pool without external electrical components. The device candecorate the pool and seamlessly blend into the surrounding environmentfor the pool area.

Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a pool floatation device.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of one implementation of the poolfloatation device shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of another implementation of the poolfloatation device shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate top views of other floatation deviceimplementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of another implementation of the poolfloatation device.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like members andmechanisms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description makes reference to the accompanyingdrawings. Other implementations of the present invention are possibleand modifications may be made to the implementations without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the followingdetailed description is not meant to limit the invention. Rather thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Moreover, for convenience in the ensuing description, some explanationsof terms are provided herein. However, the explanations contained hereinare intended to be exemplary only. They are not intended to limit theterms as they are described or referred to throughout the specification.Rather these explanations are meant to include any additional aspectsand/or examples of the terms as described and claimed herein and/or asused by one of skill in the art.

The following describes various techniques and systems relating to athermal device for a pool. FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a floatationdevice 100 for a pool. A “pool” can refer to a water-containingapparatus, such as a tub, whirlpool or spa that may be above or belowground. The device 100 includes a floating member 130 coupled with athermal generating mechanism 120. The floating member 130 providesbuoyancy to the device 100 and keeps the device 100 afloat when placedin a liquid, such as water. The floating member 130 can provide severalfunctions including (1) keeping the device 100, especially the thermalmechanism 120, in a substantially horizontal alignment with the water,and (2) retaining thermal energy in the water by providing thermalinsulation between the water and the air above the floatation device100. In another aspect, multiple floatation devices can be placed in apool to heat the water in the pool. The multiple floatation devices maycover a portion of a pool area. The thermal generating mechanism 120provides heat to the water in the pool by using light from a lightsource, such as light from the sun or a lamp. The thermal mechanism 120can provide several functions including (1) converting light energy intothermal energy in water in proximity to the thermal mechanism 120, and(2) retaining thermal energy in the water by providing thermalinsulation between the water and the air above the floatation device100.

FIG. 2A shows a side view of the device 100 of FIG. 1. In oneimplementation, the thermal generating mechanism 120 (shown in thecut-away view) may be a solar member, such as a lens or a collection oflenses. In general, the thermal generating mechanism can be any thermaldevice, member or mechanism that produces heat from solar or lightenergy. In an embodiment, the thermal generating mechanism is a plasticlens, but can also be other types of lenses. The solar member can beused to transform energy from light into thermal energy for heating thewater. The thermal generating mechanism 120 is attached to the floatingmember 130. In one embodiment, the floating member 130 surrounds thethermal mechanism 120. The floating member 130 can be made of anymaterial that provides buoyancy in water, such as rubber, foam, plastic,air-filled thermo-plastic, wood, a composite material, or a combinationthereof. The thermal generating mechanism 120 may be made from glass,plastic, a composite material, or a combination thereof. The floatingmember 130 and the thermal generating mechanism 120 may be attachedmechanically, such as by a clamp or holder, or may be attached by glue,a chemical bond, or a thermal bond. In another implementation, thefloating member 130 and the thermal generating mechanism 120 are made ofa single composite piece of material and/or may be constructed from amold.

FIG. 2B shows another implementation of a side view of the device 100 ofFIG. 1. The thermal generating mechanism in FIG. 2B is shown as a lens125 that focuses light energy 126 into the water in the pool to convertthe light energy into thermal energy. The directed light 128 is used toheat the water 129 in the pool. In one embodiment, the thermal energy isgenerated in a substantially focused area under the lens 125.

The implementations shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B are not limited to theforms and shapes shown, such as a flat sphere, but may be of variousother forms and shapes. The dimensions of the device 100 and thecorresponding thermal generating mechanism 120 and the floating member130 can vary. For example, the diameter of the device 100 may be betweentwo to five inches in one implementation, but may be between two to fivefeet in another implementation. The device can be a decorative componentto the pool, and may be in various colors and design. The member 130 andmechanism 120 on the device 100 may have images, pictures, text, logos,and/or symbols. The device may also be formed of different textures. Thedevice may be a “free-floating” device and not attached to the pool,such as a tarp, blanket, pool cover, or solar blanket. A free-floatingdevice also permits pool users to use the pool recreationally while thedevice is in the pool, unlike a tarp.

FIG. 3A shows a top view of an implementation of the flotation device300. The thermal generating mechanism 320 is shown in the shape of astar, and is attached to the floating member 330. The thermal generatingmechanism 320 is surrounded by the floating member 330.

FIG.3B shows a top view of another implementation of the floatationdevice 300. The thermal generating mechanism 350 is shown in the shapeof a circle, and is attached to the floating member 340. The floatingmember 340 is surrounded by the thermal generating member 350.

FIG.4 shows an implementation in which the floatation device 400 has aluminescent member 440 in the thermal generating mechanism 350. Such aluminescent member 440 may be used at nighttime when the luminescentmember 440 has collected solar energy from the daylight and emits alow-intensity light at night. The luminescent member 440 may be made ofa material that glows in the dark, such as a phosphor or a substancethat radiates visible light after being energized. In anotherimplementation, the glow-in-the-dark member 440 may be coupled toelectronics (not shown) that can be used to store the solar energy.Alternatively, the luminescent member may be a light-emitting diode(LED) that can be energized from the thermal generating mechanism.

The floatation device depicted in FIGS. 1, 2A-3B may be designeddifferently than as depicted and/or stated. The illustrations shownherein are merely exemplary of the designs of the device. The floatationdevice may be designed from a number of different materials. Forexample, some materials may be materials, such as a soft rubber or foam,which may be deemed safe for children and pets. In anotherimplementation, the floating member and the thermal generating mechanismare made from the same materials. In other implementations, floatationdevices may have multiple floating members and/or multiple thermalgenerating mechanisms. Other implementations may be within the scope ofthe following claims.

1. A pool heating apparatus, comprising: a thermal mechanism forproducing thermal energy in a region of water in the pool from lightenergy received from above the pool; and a flotation mechanism, coupledwith the thermal mechanism, for maintaining the thermal mechanism afloaton the surface of the water in a substantially horizontal position. 2.The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thermal mechanismis configured for maintaining at least a portion of the thermal energyin the water.
 3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein theflotation mechanism is configured for maintaining at least a portion ofthe thermal energy in the water.
 4. The apparatus in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the thermal mechanism includes a lens.
 5. The apparatusin accordance with claim 1, further comprising a luminescent material.6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the apparatus is afree-floating device.
 7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1,wherein a diameter of the apparatus is less than four feet.
 8. Anapparatus comprising: a thermal mechanism to use light to heat water inan area of a pool; and a floating member to attach to the thermalmechanism to provide buoyancy to the apparatus to float in water, and tokeep the apparatus floating in a substantially horizontal alignment withthe water in the pool, wherein the apparatus is a free-floatingapparatus to allow recreational use of the pool while the apparatus isin the water.
 9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein thethermal mechanism comprises a lens to focus light to heat the water. 10.The apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein the lens comprisesglass.
 11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein the lenscomprises plastic.
 12. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, whereinthe thermal mechanism and the floating member are attached with glue.13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the thermalmechanism and the floating member are made of a same material.
 14. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the thermal mechanism andthe floating member are attached with a holder.
 15. The apparatus inaccordance with claim 8, wherein the floating member comprises plastic.16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the floatingmember comprises rubber.
 17. The apparatus in accordance with claim 8,wherein the floating member surrounds the thermal mechanism.
 18. Theapparatus in accordance with claim 8, further comprising: a plurality ofthermal mechanisms to use light to heat water in a pool; and a pluralityof a floating element to attach to the plurality of thermal elements toallow the apparatus to float in water.
 19. The apparatus in accordancewith claim 8, further comprising a graphical image on the apparatus..20. A system comprising: a plurality of free-floating devices to uselight to heat water in a pool, each free-floating device comprising: atleast one solar heating element to use light to heat water in a pool,wherein the solar heating element is configured to retain thermal energyin water in proximity to the solar heating element; and at least onefloating element to attach to the solar heating element to allow thefree-floating device to float in the water in a substantially horizontalalignment with the water.
 21. The system in accordance with claim 20,wherein the solar heating element comprises a lens.
 22. The system inaccordance with claim 20, wherein the solar heating element isconfigured to focus light into the water to heat the water.
 23. Thesystem in accordance with claim 20, wherein any of the solar heatingelement and the floating element comprise a graphical image.
 24. Thesystem in accordance with claim 20, wherein the solar heating elementand the free-floating element comprise a same material.
 25. A method touse light energy to heat water in a pool, the method comprising:attaching a floating element to a solar heating element to enable thesolar heating element to float in a substantially horizontal alignmentin water; placing the attached elements in water to enable the elementsto freely float in the water; and applying light on the solar heatingelement to focus light energy in the water in an area underneath thesolar heating element.
 26. The method in accordance with claim 25,further comprising: attaching a plurality of floating elements to aplurality of solar heating elements; placing the plurality of attachedelements in the water; and applying light on each of the plurality ofsolar heating element to focus light in the water.
 27. The method inaccordance with claim 25, wherein the solar heating element comprises alens.
 28. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein any of thesolar heating element and the thermal element comprises aglow-in-the-dark substance.